Selective single point release for parachute harness

ABSTRACT

A casing supported on the crotch belt in convenient position accessible to all the straps of a harness has a plurality of sockets; the various straps of the harness have plugs insertable in the respective sockets; a spring pressed pawl projecting into each socket for engagement with a keeper notch in the adjacent plug; an individually shiftable actuating element engages certain of the pawls so that when it is shifted it withdraws the pawls from the selected plugs and releases them; another shiftable actuating element is capable of similarly withdrawing the other pawls from the respective plugs; an exterior manipulating device is provided for shifting the second mentioned actuating element; the connection between the first mentioned actuating element and the second mentioned actuating element is such that the first element can be shifted individually for releasing the selected plugs, but be shifted also by the second element when the second element is shifted by said exterior manipulating device.

[4 1 Oct. 23, 1973 1 SELECTIVE SINGLE POINT RELEASE FOR PARACI'IUTEHARNESS [75] Inventor: John A. Gaylord, Greenbrae, Calif.

[73] Assignee: H. Koch &Sons, Inc., Corte Madera;

Calif.

[22] Filed: Oct. 20, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 190,739

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1966 Martin 24/205.l 7l1/l968 McIntyre 26/205.19 3/1970 Sherman 24/205.17

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 20,617 11/1918 France 24/205.17 700,7913/1931 France.... 24/205.l7 768,629 8/1934 France 24/205.17 915,1681/1963 Great Britain 24/205.l7

Primary ExaminerBernard A. Gelak AttorneyGeorge B. White [57] v ABSTRACTA casing supported on the crotch belt in convenient position accessibleto all the straps of a harness has a plurality of sockets; the variousstraps of the harness have plugs insertable in the respective sockets; aspring pressed pawl projecting into each socket for engagement with akeeper notch in the adjacent plug; an individually shiftable actuatingelement engages certain of the pawls so that when it is shifted itwithdraws the pawls from the selected plugs and releases them; anothershiftable actuating element is capable of similarly withdrawing theother pawls from the respective plugs; an exterior manipulating deviceis provided for shifting the second mentioned actuating element; theconnection between the first mentioned actuating element and the secondmentioned actuating element is such that the first element can beshifted individually for releasing the selected plugs, but be shiftedalso by the second element when the second element is shifted by saidexterior manipulating device.

7 C laims, 4 Drawing Figures hunted 0a. 23, 1913 3,767,144

2 Sheets-Sheet '1 /3 4 a /z ,ZJ 0/ FIG. 2. [4 A lA/VEA/TOR JOHN A.GAVLOED ATTORNEY Patented 0a. 23, 1913 3,767,144

2 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR JOHN A. cam L 02p y/mf ATTORNEY SELECTIVESINGLE POINT RELEASE FOR PARACHUTE HARNESS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere were several various improvements on parachute harness and theirconnection to a single point manipulable release, which are of greatimportance because the safety of aircraft personnel depends on thefacility of manipulation of such release.

While the previous devices provide for simultaneous release of all thestraps from a single connector, it is desirable sometime that quickrelease be accomplished of only certain selected straps, while theothers remain connected.

The primary feature of this improvement is to provide an individualshifting device for releasing certain selected straps but leaving otherstraps connected, but to provide also a single manipulating device forquickly releasing all the straps when required.

Another feature of the invention is to reduce the number of straps thatare connected to the single release by interconnecting the leg belts toform a crotch belt extending upwardly from the crotch of the person andsupporting the single release on the crotch belt when all the straps arereleased; this simplifies the strap connections as well as suspends thesingle release conveniently for speedy connection of all the straps.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES FIG. 1 is a fragmental perspective view showingthe single point release connected to the crotch belt and other strapsof the parachute harness.

FIG. 2 is a view on an enlarged scale of the single release with thecover plate removed and all the straps connected.

FIG. 3 is a view of the single release showing two of the strapsreleased.

FIG. 4 is a view of the single release showing the manipulating handlein position with all the strap connections, except the crotch beltreleased.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The single release has a casing 1 which in thepresent form is a comparatively thick plate which is covered by a coverplate 2 indicated only in FIG. 1 which is detachably secured in plate bysuitable screws in screw holes 3.

A pair of sockets 4 extend inwardly from the top edge 6 of the casing 1in the perpendicular operating position shown in the drawings. A sidesocket 7 extends from each side 8 inwardly spaced below the inner end ofthe perpendicular sockets 4. In a suitable cavity adjacent to eachperpendicular socket 4 is provided a pawl 9, a cylindrical hub 11 ofwhich is pivotally held in a corresponding cylindrical cavity 12. Aconnection plug 13 is insertable in each socket 4 and 7 respectively. Anannular keeper groove 14 on each plug 13 is engageable by a prong 16 onthe adjacent pawl 9. A coil spring 17 urges each pawl 19 toward theadjacent plug 13 for interlocking the prong 16 with the keeper groove14. Each plug has a head 18 which forms a shoulder 19 so spaced from thekeeper groove 14 as to align the keeper groove 14 with the prong 16whenever the shoulder 19 abuts the adjacent top 6 or side 8 of thecasing 1. In each head 18 is a pivot pin 21 to pivotally hold a suitablecross head 22 which is suitably fixed.

into the usual loop 23 in the end of the respective strap 24.

On the lower edge or side of the casing 1 is a fixed loop 26 in which isheld the crotch belt 27 of the harness, as shown in FIG. 1.-

An actuating bar 31 is slideable in a channel 32 in the casing 1intersecting at right angles the inner ends of the top sockets 4. Theactuating bar 31 has a pair of elongated notches 33 adjacent therespective pawls 9 so that the fingers 34 of the pawls 9 project intothe respective notches 33. A button end 36 of the actuating bar 31projects beyond the adjacent side of the casing 1. The inner end 37 ofthe actuating bar 31 is spaced from the inner end of the channel 32 soas to leave space for pushing the actuating bar 31 inwardly of thechannel. Thus by pushing the button end 36 the actuating bar 31 isshifted inwardly of the channel pushing the pawl fingers 34 from theposition shown in FIG. 2 into the position shown in FIG. 3 therebywithdrawing the respective prongs 16 from the adjacent keeper grooves 14and releasing the respective plugs 13. The coil springs 17 bearing onthe respective pawls 9 shift the pawl fingers 34 and the actuating bar31 into the initial position shown in FIG. 2.

An actuating block 41 is shiftable in a pocket 42 parallel with thechannel 32. On the top of the block is formed a guide bar 43 slideablein an enlarged bottom portion of the channel 32 and being in slidingcontact with the bottom of the actuating bar 31 so as to permit theindividual sliding of the actuating bar 31. The guide bar 43 has anelongated slot 44 to accommodate an arm 46 extended therethrough fromthe actuating bar 31. The arm 46 fits into an abutment pocket 47 in aside of the actuating block 41 as shown in FIG. 2 so that when theactuating block 41 is shifted in the pocket 42 it abuts the arm 46 andshifts the actuating bar 31, but when the actuating bar 31 is shiftedindividually the arm 46 moves out of the abutment pocket 47independently as shown in FIG. 3.

Pawls 48 and 49 are in cavities adjacent coil springs 17 so that therespective prongs 16 are interlocked with the keeper grooves 14 of therespective plugs 13. The pawl 48 has a head 51 with an inclined abutmentface 52 adjacent a fixed button 53 on the actuating block 41 so that asthe block 41 is shifted from the position shown in FIG. 2 into theposition shown in FIG. 4, the button 53 rides on the abutment face 52and pushes the pawl 48 away from the socket 7 for withdrawing the prong16 from the keeper groove 14 of the adjacent plug 13.

The pawl 49 also has a head 54 thereon with an inclined abutment face 56adjacent another button 58 on the actuating block 41, so positioned thatwhen the actuating block 41 is shifted from the position shown in FIG. 2into the position shown in FIG. 4 it pushes the pawl 49 away from theadjacent socket 7 to release the respective plug 13 as heretoforedescribed.

The actuating block 41 is shifted by an exterior manipulating device,which in the present illustration is a flat handle 61 pivoted on a pivot62 in the casing. The pivot extends through the cover plate 2. Thehandle plate 61 has an elongated slot 63 in engagement with a pin 64extended from the actuating block 41 through a horizontal slot 66 in thecover 2 indicated in broken lines. The slot 63 is at such an anglerelative to the pivot pin 62 that as the handle plate 61 is turned fromthe position shown in FIG. 2 into the position shown in FIG.

4, it pushes the pin 64 in the cover guide slot 66, whereby theactuating block 41 is pushed for withdrawing all the pawls from all theplugs as heretofore described.

The crotch belt 27 is formed by connecting the leg belts 67 through asuitable clasp 68 after one of the leg belts 67 is drawn through thefixed loop 26 as shown in FIG. 1 In this manner the single releasealways remains attached to the harness and when the person places thesingle release in from he also pulls the crotch belt 27 and the legbelts 67 in position and then quickly can connect all the other strapsby inserting the respective plugs 13 into the respective sockets 4 and7. In the event the person wants to release only the top plugs from thetop sockets 4, that can be accomplished by simply pushing the button endof the actuating bar 31 and thus selectively releasing only the two topplugs 13. When simultaneous release of all the plugs is required theperson turns the handle 61 into the position shown in FIG. 4 and as theactuating block 41 is pushed it also pushes the actuating bar 31 forsimultaneously withdrawing of the pawls from all the plugs and therebyreleasing all the straps at once, the releasing device remainingattached to the harness by the crotch belt 27.

I claim:

1. In a selective single point release for straps of a harness,

a casing having a plurality of edge sockets extending inwardly from oneedge of said casing, and having side sockets extending inwardly fromopposite sides of the casing in about the same plane as said edgesockets,

a strap connection plug insertable into each socket,

each plug having an indent,

a pawl journalled in said casing adjacent each socket,

a projection on each pawl engageable with the indent of the adjacentplug for locking the plug in position,

spring means normally to urge each pawl into plug locking position,

a releasing device comprising a bar reciprocable in said casing,

a part of each pawl at said edge pockets being connected to said bar soas to turn the respective pawls into plug releasing position wheneversaid bar is moved in one direction,

a reciprocating member in said casing,

a part of each pawl at said side pockets being connected to saidreciprocating member so as to turn the respective pawls whenever saidreciprocating member is moved in one direction,

means to connect said bar to said reciprocating member for unobstuctedmovement in said one direction and for movement with said reciprocatingmember when the latter is moved in said one direction, respectively forseparately releasing said pawls at said edge sockets and for releasingall of said pawls,

means accessible from outside of said casing for moving said bar in saidone direction at will,

I and manipulating means on the outside of said casing connected to saidreciprocating means for moving said reciprocating member for releasingall the pawls.

2. In a selective single point release specified in claim and saidconnecting means including an abutment on said reciprocating memberfacing in said one direction,

an extension from said bar engageable with said abutment with freedom ofindependent movement in said one direction.

3. In a selective single point release specified in claim 1, and

an extension on one end of the bar extended to the outside of the casingfor manipulation to push said bar in said one direction.

4. In a selective single point release specified in claim 1, and

said spring means urging said pawls and said bar and said reciprocatingmember oppositely to said one direction.

5. In a selective single point release specified in claim 1, and

said manipulating means including an accessible face plate on saidcasing,

a handle pivoted on said plate,

said plate having a slot parallel with said one direction and inregistry with said reciprocating member,

a pin extended from said reciprocating member through said parallelslot,

said handle plate having a passage therein and said pin extending intosaid passage,

said passage being at such angle relative to the pivot of said handle asto push said pin in said slot and said reciprocating member in said onedirection when said plate is turned from a locking into a releasingposition thereby to release all the pawls from all the plugs.

6. In a selective single point release specified in claim and saidreciprocating member being a reciprocating block,

said casing having elongated cavities for guiding the reciprocation ofsaid block and of said bar.

7. The selective single point release specified in claim 1, and legbelts on said harness being connected together to form a crotch harnessextended between the legs and secured to said casing for supporting saidcasing after said single release.

1. In a selective single point release for straps of a harness, a casinghaving a plurality of edge sockets extending inwardly from one edge ofsaid casing, and having side sockets extending inwardly from oppositesides of the casing in about the same plane as said edge sockets, astrap connection plug insertable into each socket, each plug having anindent, a pawl journalled in said casing adjacent each socket, aprojection on each pawl engageable with the indent of the adjacent plugfor locking the plug in position, spring means normally to urge eachpawl into plug locking position, a releasing device comprising a barreciprocable in said casing, a part of each pawl at said edge pocketsbeing connected to said bar so as to turn the respective pawls into plugreleasing position whenever said bar is moved in one direction, areciprocating member in said casing, a part of each pawl at said sidepockets being connected to said reciprocating member so as to turn therespective pawls whenever said reciprocating member is moved in onedirection, means to connect said bar to said reciprocating member forunobstructed movement in said one direction and for movement with saidreciprocating member when the latter is moved in said one direction,respectively for separately releasing said pawls at said edge socketsand for releasing all of said pawls, means accessible from outside ofsaid casing for moving said bar in said one direction at will, andmanipulating means on the outside of said casing connected to saidreciprocating means for moving said reciprocating member for releasingall the pawls.
 2. In a selective single point release specified in claim1 and said connecting means including an abutment on said reciprocatingmember facing in said one direction, an extension from said barengageable with said abutment with freedom of independent movement insaid one direction.
 3. In a selective single point release specified inclaim 1, and an extension on one end of the bar extended to the outsideof the casing for manipulation to push said bar in said one direction.4. In a selective single point release specified in claim 1, and saidspring means urging said pawls and said bar and said reciprocatingmember oppositely to said one direction.
 5. In a selective single pointrelease specified in claim 1, and said manipulating means including anaccessible face plate on said casing, a handle pivoted on said plate,said plate having a slot parallel with said one direction and inregistry with said reciprocating Member, a pin extended from saidreciprocating member through said parallel slot, said handle platehaving a passage therein and said pin extending into said passage, saidpassage being at such angle relative to the pivot of said handle as topush said pin in said slot and said reciprocating member in said onedirection when said plate is turned from a locking into a releasingposition thereby to release all the pawls from all the plugs.
 6. In aselective single point release specified in claim 5, and saidreciprocating member being a reciprocating block, said casing havingelongated cavities for guiding the reciprocation of said block and ofsaid bar.
 7. The selective single point release specified in claim 1,and leg belts on said harness being connected together to form a crotchharness extended between the legs and secured to said casing forsupporting said casing after said single release.